RANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS--NEW HIGHWAY NAMED COBEQUID PASS
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Highway 104 Western Alignment is now Cobequid Pass.
Don Downe, minister of transportation and public works, announced
the new name today saying: "Cobequid Pass is a fitting reflection
of the history and geography of this region. Cobequid has long
been a proud Nova Scotian name."
Cobequid is derived from a Mi'kmaq word Wakobetgitk, meaning "end
of flowing or rushing water," a reference to the Bay of Fundy.
The highway runs through the Cobequid Mountains.
Mr. Downe thanked the Truro and District Chamber of Commerce and
the project's Community Liaison Committee for gathering possible
names for the highway. Cobequid was a frequent suggestion. A
committee of people representing members of the public-private
partnership building the highway made the selection, with the
minister giving final approval.
A slogan -- Right This Way -- will sometimes accompany the name
as both an invitation to use the highway and a statement that
building this highway as a public-private partnership was the
correct way to go.
"I'm proud to be part of this important highway, Cobequid Pass,"
said Mr. Downe, "because it's going to save lives."
When Cobequid Pass opens in December, it will establish two safe
routes in and around the Wentworth Valley. The existing 104 is a
dangerous mix of fast-moving trucks and local traffic. This mix
is largely responsible for the 50 fatalities that have occurred
in the past decade.
Cobequid Pass can be completed within a 20-month schedule thanks
to the public-private partnership negotiated to build the
highway. Funding the project through traditional methods could
have taken between five to 10 years to allow completion.
Cobequid Pass is 45 kilometres between Thomson Station and
Masstown. Twinned and with a wide median, the road is more than
75 per cent complete. Construction costs are $112.9 million. The
main contractor is Atlantic Highways Corp.; major subcontractors
are Nova Construction, Tidewater Construction and the Foundation
Co. of Canada.
Construction on the highway is pumping millions of dollars into
Nova Scotia's economy, most significantly for communities in
Colchester and Cumberland counties.
During peak construction, more than 300 people are employed on
the project in manufacturing, construction and technical sectors.
Most are from the two counties while others are also Nova
Scotian.
The number of locally owned and operated trucks in the coming
construction season employed on the site from Colchester and
Cumberland counties is expected to reach 65. Subcontracts in
engineering, design and construction worth a total of $96 million
have been awarded to date, the majority going to regional firms.
Another $46 million has been committed to third-party suppliers.
Ninety-five per cent of these suppliers are Maritime-owned and
operated.
-30-
Contact: Susan MacLeod
Highway 104 Western Alignment Corp.
902-424-2248
Chris Welner
Department of Transportation and Public Works
902-424-8687
trp June 10, 1997 - 2:10 p.m.